Tigard-Tualatin schools propose cutting 159 positions

TIGARD -- The Tigard-Tualatin School District plans to cut about 159 positions from teachers to administrators for the coming school year based on state funding projections.

The district is planning for a worst-case scenario in state funding, which would require Tigard-Tualatin to cut $11.3 million -- nearly 10 percent -- of its $119 million general fund, said Rob Saxton, superintendent.

Saxton will provide details about the positions being cut to the citizen Budget Process Committee on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Tigard High School library. The cuts include 100 teacher, 52 classified staff and 6.5 administrator/manager positions.

The school district will give a presentation and listen to community suggestions on the proposed cuts at two additional meetings: April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Hazelbrook Middle School and April 29 at 6:30 p.m. at Twality Middle School.

State officials are recommending that districts budget for a range of state funding, from $5.4 billion to $5.9 billion in the next biennium. Saxton said state funds would need to reach $6.6 billion for districts to maintain programs and positions.